Conversation Questions

Dead Poets Society

Section I
1. The movie is set during the late-1950s at the highly prestigious Welton Academy, an all-male preparatory
school in Vermont, USA.
2. John Keating’s introductory lesson builds a preamble to his main philosophy about English literature and
life itself, as well as subtly contrasting it to the ideology of the school and his experiences in it when he
was a student there. He doesn’t directly explain why he does classes the way he does, but integrates the
contents of the subject and makes the students look for meaning, easing them in into a much more free
and artistic way of thinking.
3. The Latin phrase that defines this movie is “Carpe Diem”.
a. This phrase, along with summarizing Keating’s ideology, had made his students more interested
in a more daring behavior and purpose of life: one more personal and free of the expectations of
their parents, one that aligns with and/or help their passion.
b. A yawp, as the teacher says, is an instinctive, barbaric yell, one that could be interpreted as a cry,
a bark, or a shout.
c. The most shaken character due to the teacher’s classes was Neil Perry. Thanks to this, he
uncovered his love for acting and the performing arts -one buried by his father’s hope of Neil
becoming a doctor-, making him sign up for a theatrical play at the school.
4. The Dead Poets Society is more than just a club, but less than a cult. It’s a group of students that, in the
search for a more fulfilling purpose and meaning of life, seek a grander truth in literature, especially
poetry.
5. (The following)
a. This expression emphasizes the finite aspect of life. That, one day, we will die and go back to the
earth, to be consumed by worms.
b. This verse comes from a poem by Walt Whitman. Life, itself, tells us that, even though our
surroundings may seem miserable and hopeless, it’s indifferent of it and that us, beings of thought
and identity, must give it our own personal meaning and keep the play going.
c. While doing an activity surrounding walking, Keating says this. It invites the students to not
conform with the common way of walking and to find another one that makes their body feel
freer and alive (even if that way is not walking at all).
d. A verse from a poem by Robert Herrick. It’s another way of saying “Carpe Diem”: to seize the day
while one is still alive.
e. A quote by Keating that goes along his speech on “Carpe Diem”. It reinforces its meaning, inviting
the students to look for an unorthodox way of living.
f. This verse comes from a poem by Walt Whitman, in which he bids farewell to Abraham Lincoln.
Keating makes this his nickname, the way he wants his students to greet him; therefore, it might
serve the purpose of setting them for the eventual end of their classes with him, where they will
have to say goodbye and thank Mr. Keating -and the other teachers- for teaching them.
6. Neil took his life after his father removed him from Welton Academy and enlisted him in a military school,
so that he may forget about acting and focus on studying. Neil would no longer perform in a stage
anymore.
7. Most probably not, because Mr. Keating was the person who invited him, and his classmates, to look for
a meaningful and fulfilling life, uncovering his passion for acting.
8. Mr. Keating says that poetry is read and written out of passion: a look for a purpose, an expression of
passion or a call for communication. He makes his students rip out the section of Pritchard’s formula for
a poetic work greatness for he thinks it’s garbage, and it doesn’t align with what poetry truly means.
9. No, he’s not a bad influence. He invites the students to think and look for something grander that makes
them feel happy, not just following the expectations of those who surround them.
10. Keating makes the boys look at life differently by incorporating literature into their objectives. An artistic
expression so that they can dissect life and give it a more powerful meaning.
11. After the end of the movie, life. We don’t know if the other boys get to be what they truly want to be or
not, as Keating’s dismissal and farewell to the class ends the film.
12. Although someone stupid, Neil was the bravest out of the bunch, as he tried to follow his passion for
acting at all costs, even if it would mean getting his father’s disapproval. Charlie was, probably, the most
cowardly, as he told their superiors about the Dead Poets Society and Keating’s influence, even though
he was a main figure in the group.
13. Although he does this within the context of an activity about creating verses, Mr. Keating says this as one
of his many ways of inviting them to look for a meaningful life. My verse to life, hopefully, would be of
telling stories and teaching through painting and drawing.
14. Most of the cast’s fears can be summarized in a fear of rejection and unconventionality. Todd was down-
to-earth, but his wariness made him fear of an unconventional future; Neil was brave enough to chase
his passion, but still feared of being looked down by his father; Knox also braved himself into confessing
his love to someone, yet it took him time because he feared of being rejected by her; Charlie was
passionate up to some degree because he, like Todd, feared of this unconventionality and taking it
seriously.
15. Mr. Keating means that poetry -and other ways of art- are fueled by passion and a desire to show it to
the world, as a way of communicating with each other within a much deeper link. It’s a stance in which
I agree.
Poetry is not something I often read -I tend to lean into narrative literature-, but it may be one of the
purest forms of emotional expression in art, even if limited by written language, the capability of
reshaping words and arranging them to mimic song and chants is compelling to our more instinctive
feelings and desires.
16. Although authors have their very own reasons to creating the works they do, people are different from
each other, and so they can feel and perceive different things from one single subject. That’s way some
artistic movements were born: people saw something that wasn’t intended for, and then did more of
that under that perspective.
There is a videogame that looks upon different topics. While many like it for its political commentary,
others -me included- like its psychological elements.
17. The movie puts an impressionable youth in conflict with their wishes: either follow their passion or a
safer future. It tells us that, even if love for something is important, letting it consume us can be
dangerous. We have to look after our life upon every aspect equally, not giving more importance to one
in particular.